It’s Christmastime at the Brenneman Bed & Breakfast, and everyone is excited about closing down for the holiday. Anna and Henry will be celebrating their first Christmas as a married couple, and for Katie and Jonathan Lundy, it’s their first Christmas with baby Stefan. Winnie and Samuel Miller plan to stop by as well for a wonderful two weeks of family and rest.

But when two unexpected visitors show up, hoping to stay for Christmas, the family must test their commitment to hospitality. Levi is a widower who lost his wife four years ago and can’t bear the thought of another Christmas alone. And Melody is a young pregnant woman who won’t open up about how she ended up on her own at Christmas at almost nine months pregnant. Anna, who knows a thing or two about keeping secrets, doesn’t trust her, and strives to find out the truth about these two strangers who have disrupted their holiday.

But as the Christmas spirit descends on them all, along with a snow that traps them at the inn, a healing and hopefulness takes over, allowing new relationships to be built, and the boundaries of family to be extended.

Grace Discussion Questions: Shelley Shepard Gray

1. At first, Katie Lundy resents the arrival of Melody and Levi because she feels they’ve ruined her family’s holiday. What is your idea of the ‘perfect’ Christmas? Do you recall a Christmas when things didn’t go as planned?

2. Both Levi and Melody sought to escape their problems by spending Christmas at the Brenneman Bed and Breakfast. Ironically, instead of avoiding their worries, they were able to finally heal. Has ‘taking a break’ from your problems ever helped you?

3. Melody never wavered in her decision to keep her baby. Was this the right choice? Would you have blamed her if she had wanted to give it up for adoption?

4. Levi feels his pride is to blame for his wife and baby’s death. Is this the case? Has your pride ever pushed you to make a poor choice?

5. Mrs. Brenneman makes the choice to include her guests in family activities. Levi goes hunting with the men and Melody joins the women in the kitchen. How did including Levi and Melody help their old wounds heal?

6. Leah was determined to do whatever it took to be by Melody’s side on Christmas Day. Have you ever gone out of your way for a special girlfriend? What were the results of your efforts?

7. Leah and Zack’s romance was fairly sweet and straightforward compared to Melody and Levi’s. Is falling in love ever like that? Leah says she knows Zack is the ‘right’ man for her. Do you think their relationship will last?

8. The Amish rarely decorate for Christmas. There is no tree, no nativity set, or wreath on the door. No Christmas carols are sung. However, many do exchange Christmas cards, bake Christmas cookies, and sometimes exchange one or two simple, meaningful gifts. How do these traditions compare to the way your family celebrates the holiday?

9. It is a tradition in the Brenneman family to read the story of Jesus’ birth from the Book of Luke. What are some of your traditions?

10. The concept of Grace is an integral one to the story. How do you define ‘Grace’? Can you think of a time in your life when you’ve felt blessed by it?